LOPBURI, Thailand – More than 200 monkeys escaped from their enclosure at the Lopburi Municipal Wildlife Shelter, creating chaos as they roamed the streets, climbed onto houses, and even infiltrated Tha Hin Police Station, November 17. The escape was reportedly caused by an aging net, unable to withstand the monkeys’ tugging, which created an opening in the enclosure.
The incident occurred on the evening of November 16, when monkeys from the Manorah Monkey Zone, home to over 300 monkeys, broke free. Some made their way into Tha Hin Police Station, located next to the shelter, prompting officers to shut doors and windows to contain the invasion.
By evening, over 100 monkeys had voluntarily returned to the shelter, lured by food provided during the weekly “Monkey Offering” at Wat Sao Thong Thong, a nearby temple that hosts an event every Sunday with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Municipal authorities have repaired the damaged enclosure and alerted the Department of National Parks to assist in capturing the remaining monkeys. The operation is expected to take 2-3 days, as traps with food have been strategically placed.
Officials observed that most of the escaped monkeys stayed near the enclosure, likely due to familiarity with their food and water sources. Some monkeys returned voluntarily upon hearing familiar calls from caretakers.
As of the latest report, approximately 15 monkeys were still seen climbing on the police station roof and antenna towers, potentially posing a risk to communication equipment. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, aiming to capture the remaining escapees as quickly as possible.
The municipal office has requested residents to report sightings of any stray monkeys to the shelter. This marks the second large-scale monkey escape since the establishment of the Lopburi Municipal Wildlife Shelter. (TNA)
